Hermit Crab for Pet: Things to Know Before Adopting a Hermit Crab

A hermit crab is an exciting pet because of its small size, eating habits, and preference for humidity and low light. They are also relatively cheap and easy to find in pet stores. You’ll also need a large tank to house one, so ensure you’re prepared before adopting one. 

In addition, make sure to have a hermit crab compatible with your other pet(s) – they may not get along well with other types of crabs. 

Hermit Crab as a Pet

Typical Hermit Crab Appearance and Behavior

Hermit crabs are one of the cutest pets you could ever have. These tiny creatures are very active and will explore their surroundings constantly. Their typical hermit crab appearance is a small, brown body with two large claws on its front legs. They require food and water to survive, and like most animals, they usually live in solitary comfort but may form social groups during the breeding season. 

Choosing the Right Hermit Crab

When it comes to choosing a hermit crab for your home, there are a few things you should take into account. 

1. The size of your tank: Some small hermit crabs can fit in a 5-gallon tank, while more giant crabs may require a 10-20-gallon tank. 

2. The food they are used to eating: Most hermit crabs eat other crustaceans or plants, so choose one that is used to eating this food. 

3. Their personality: If you want an active crab, look for one that likes climbing or exploring its surroundings. A smaller crab may be delicate if you’re not looking for an active crab. 

4. Feeding your crab a high-quality diet: Make sure to feed them a high-quality diet, as they will need plenty of protein and calcium.

The Benefits of Having a Hermit Crab as a Pet

Having a hermit crab as a pet can provide many benefits, like companionship, entertainment, and exercise. Crabs also filter water and eat algae which is good for the environment. They are great for kids because they help teach responsibility and how to take care of an animal.

Hermit Crab Care

Habitat Size

A hermit crab needs a habitat that is at least half its size. You will need to purchase two or more small tanks to house a single hermit crab. Ensure the habitat has plenty of hiding spots and places to eat and drink, as these are essential for the crabs’ well-being.

Building Your Habitat

Because they live in tight quarters, hermit crabs need a habitat – which you can buy or build yourself! Their habitat can be anything from a small bowl of water to something they can climb on. 

Furthermore, ensure you give your hermit crab the right food and shelter. Ensure the water isn’t too hot or cold, the substrate (wooden structure) doesn’t have any holes or sharp edges, and the food items are fresh and nutritious. 

Also, remember their natural tendencies (such as preferring humidity levels over dryness). Once you know what will make your hermit crab happy, designing their habitat shouldn’t be much of an issue!

Cleaning Your Habitat

Cleaning your hermit crab habitat is essential for its well-being. To clean the surface, use a damp cloth followed by a dry one. Try not to wet the substrate too much – this will make cleaning difficult later. It would help if you also watered the habitat daily with fresh water to keep it healthy and humidity levels high.

Feeding

Hermit crabs are great pets, but feeding them can be tricky. If your crab does not seem hungry, try offering slightly smaller pieces of food instead of whole chunks. Hermit crabs are grazers and will eat a variety of items, including fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Ensure the dish you feed your crab is clean before giving it to them – crumbs can shelter bacteria that could make your pet sick! Be sure to give them enough food daily to keep them happy and healthy. 

Hermit Crab Supplies

Some of the hermit crab supplies you need to prepare are food, substrate, water dishes, and shells if you want to buy these items, shop and be up-to-date on all the requirements. 

If you’re unsure what you need, consult with a pet store or hermit crab experts. And lastly, make sure to provide your new friend with the appropriate environment – a place to hide, water dishes, and shells.

Health

If you’re thinking of adding a hermit crab to your home, be sure to take into account their health. Make sure to feed them food high in calcium and grit, which will help with their shell growth and overall health. 

Additionally, get a healthy hermit crab, as sick or injured crabs will not make good pets. Provide plenty of water, clean their tank regularly, and enjoy your new hermit crab companion!

How to Set Up a Tank for Pet Hermit Crab

Setting up a tank for pet hermit crabs is a simple task that can be done in just a few minutes. The crab needs access to fresh water at all times, so make sure there’s an available source nearby. 

Make sure the room where the tank will be located is dark because crabs need plenty of sleep. A water dish should be placed in the center of the tank, and a small hiding place should be added. Finally, ensure the tank is large and deep enough for the crab to live comfortably.

Picking the Tank

Hermit crabs are great pet options as they require very little care. They enjoy hiding spots, shells, rocks to explore, water filters if necessary, and a lot of space – around 5 gallons is ideal for two crabs. 

Please ensure the substrate is deep enough so hermit crabs can bury their claws. The best way to ensure a relaxed environment for your crab is by keeping an eye on the temperature (around 75-85 degrees F).

The Substrate

The substrate is the surface on which your hermit crab will live and move around. It needs to be hard so that the crab can burrow into it, but at the same time, not too dry or wet because this would make it challenging to molt (shed its shell). 

The substrate should also have a good smell, encouraging your hermit crab to spend more time there. To provide fresh food, feed them once a week with seafood or vegetables. Ensure you do not overfeed them as this could cause health problems later in their lives.

Maintaining Proper Temperature

Maintaining the proper temperature for a pet hermit crab is essential for its health. Hermit crabs need fresh, clean water and a tank that maintains around 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. It would help if you kept the lid on the tank at all times to ensure high humidity levels and change the water every two days.

Lights

Make sure to adjust the light according to the time of day and adjust it as needed – morning, noon, or night. Different types of lights are available on the market, so find one that best suits your needs and your pet’s. 

A hermit crab needs a tank like its inside shell – a warm environment with low humidity is ideal for them. You’ll need to provide artificial sunlight in addition to natural sunlight by using fluorescent lighting or incandescent bulbs, respectively.

Humidity

Humidity is one of the most important things you must consider when caring for a hermit crab. The humidity needs to be at around 70-80%, and to ensure this; you will need to provide a water dish and rocks for the crab as well as a hiding place. Make sure that you clean the tank regularly so that your hermit crab has an environment in which it can live comfortably.

Cage Furnishings

Pets need an area to live, play and hide in – a hermit crab’s tank is just the right size. Cage furnishings can make this space special for your pet hermit crab. Be sure to provide them with toys, food, and water bowls to have a fun and healthy life!

Where to Buy a Hermit Crab

Some popular options for buying a hermit crab include online retailers and pet stores. Make sure to research the best hermit crab for your specific needs. They’re worth the extra effort!